Funis clamp



P 196.5 D. H. KARIHER ETAL 3,204,636

FUN I S CLAMP Original Filed March 19, 1958 INVENTORS DONALD H. KARIHERTHOMAS W. SMITH ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,204,636 FUNIS CLAMPDonald H. Kariher and Thomas W. Smith, both of 1577 South Ave.,Rochester, N. Continuation of application Ser. No. 722,516, Mar. 19,1958. This application Aug. 30, 1961, 'Ser. No. 137,936 1'4Claims. ('Cl.128-346) This application is a continuation of our copending applicationSerial No. 722,516, filed March 19, 1958, now abandoned.

This invention relates to clamping devices, and more particularly todevices of such type which may be used by the surgeon, as a funis clamp.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a funis clamp whichcan be quickly and easily applied by the surgeon with one hand and whichdoes not require the use of a tool for its application.

Another object of the invention is to provide a funis clamp which isfabricated of a single piece so as to have no moving parts and which,therefore, can be quickly and effectively sterilized.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a funis clamp ofthe type described, which is self-adjusting once operatively positionedand functions to automatically maintain a sufiicient pressure on thecord or other material being clamped even though the latter has shrunkor diminished in size.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clamp which hasincorporated therein a positive locking feature so that the clampautomatically locks itself once set in operative position therebypreventing accidental removal of the clamp before the expiration of apredetermined time.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a funis clamp, ofthe type described which, due to its unique simplicity of design, can bemanufactured inexpensively and therefore can be marketed as a disposableitem.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within thescope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the novel clamp constituting thisinvention.

' FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the device.

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the device.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view of the device shown in operativeposition securing therein material to be clamped such as an umbilicalcord.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the free end of one armof the device.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the free end ofthe other arm of the device.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 77 of FIGURE 6.

The device constituting this invention comprises a pair of arms 8 and 9secured together at their one end by a hinge portion 10 which isarcuately shaped in order to equalize the stress imparted thereto. Thearms 8 and 9 are each provided with thumb depressor surfaces 12 and 13,respectively. The arms 8 and 9 are further provided with a plurality ofteeth 14 and 15, respectively, which are disposed so that the teeth 14mesh with the teeth 15. The arm 9 has at its free end a flattenedextension 16 having an oval-shaped hole 17 extending 3,294,636 PatentedSept. 7, 1965 therethrough in the form of a spiral configuration. Thehole 17 has, therefore, an entrance 18 having a longitudinal axisangularly disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of its exit 19. Itis preferable that the angular relation between the longitudinal axes beapproximately 45 degrees.

A tapered guide notch 20 is'provided in the inner surface of theextension 16 and communicates with the entrance 18. A recess 21 isprovided on the outer surface of the extension 16 and communicates withthe exit 19.

A lateral projection 22 is formed at the free end of the arm 8 andterminates in an oval-shaped button 23 having tapered sides 24.

In using this novel device to clamp an umbilical cord, such as the cord25 as is illustrated in FIGURE 4, the surgeon should, with the clamp inan open position, locate the cord so that it is positioned between thearms 3 and 9 and as near the hinge portion 10 as is practical. With theclamp in one hand the surgeon may then exert pressure by depressing thethumb depressor surfaces 12 and 13. This can best be accomplished byusing the thumb and forefinger. The arms 8 and 9 are thereby moved intoa closed position and the teeth 14 and 15 function to prevent anyslippage between the cord and the arms 8 and 9.

The compression exerted by the hand of the operator as above mentionedis suflicient to interlock the free ends of the arms 8 and 9. Since theoval-shaped button 23 is in substantial registration relative to theentrance 18 of the oval-shaped hole 17, it may freely enter the entrance18 thereof and traverse the thickness of the flattened extension 16,finally emerging through the exit 19. In passing through the hole 17,the button 23 is caused to be rotated approximately 45 degrees due tothe spiral configuration therein. Being that the exit 19 of the hole 17is disposed so that its longitudinal axis is angularly related to thelongitudinal axis of the entrance 18, the button 23 is locked inposition and is prevented from returning back through the hole 17. Itshould be obvious, of course, that the physical characteristics of thelateral projection 22 cause the latter to counter-rotate so that thebutton 23 assumes its normal position in substantial registration withthe entrance 18. The size of the button 235 is preferably slightlysmaller than the size of the hole 17. Furthermore, it should be notedthat the tapered sides 24 of the button 23to function to facilitate thepassage of the button 23 through the hole 17. The tapered notch 20obviously functions to guide the passage of the button 23 toward theentrance 18 of the hole 17. When the clamp is in its closed position, ascan be best seen in FIGURE 4, the button 23 is accommodated within therecess 21 so that a substantially flush relationship exists between thesurface of the button 23 and the outer surface of the extension 16.

The compression of the cord 25 is sufficient so as to produce hemostasisas is well known to those skilled in the art. Due to the flexible andsomewhat elastic properties of the material from which the clamp isfabricated, it has the characteristic of being automaticallycompensating for any shrinkage in the cord 25. As the clamp is appliedand compresses the cord as shown in FIGURE 4, the loop 10 becomessomewhat expanded because of the interposition of the cord between thearms. This exerts a constant clamping pressure on the cord. Thereafter,as the cord diminishes in size, the arms 8 and 9 move closer togetherand continue to maintain the required pressure on the cord 25. After theclamp has been in position on the cord for a predetermined period oftime it may be easily removed by severing the projection 22 adjacent tothe button 23, or by cutting through the substance of the hinge 10.

Although the funis clamp described herein has been found extremelysatisfactory when fabricated of plastic, it may, of course, be producedfrom other materials which have the physical characteristics of beingrelatively flexible, elastic, and of sufiicient strength. Whenfabricated of plastic the clamp may be produced by mass productiontechniques at an extremely low cost and, therefore, may be marketed asan inexpensive disposable item.

Thus, a funis clamp has been provided which can be applied by thesurgeon quickly With one hand and Without the necessity of utilizingother tools, such as a forceps. Furthermore, the operator does notrequire assistance from anyone else in its application. Since the deviceis a unitary piece and has no moving parts, it may be sterilized verysimply. It should be noted that the interlocking mechanism incorporatedin the device precludes the possibility of the arms 8 and 9 beingaccidentally disengaged, thereby releasing the pressure prematurely.

Although the funis clamp constituting this invention has been describedherein in reference to its use as a means for clamping an umbilicalcord, its scope and application is sutficiently diversified to includethe clamping of other organs or materials which may require a positiveaction clamping device.

We claim:

1. I clamp for application to the umbilical cord of a newly born infantcomprising, a V-shaped member fabricated of a flexible, resilient,relatively strong material, and formed by a pair of arms joined togetherat the apex of the V by an integral hinge-forming loop of substantialdiameter, the free ends of the arms of said member being normally spacedapart, said arms being movable toward each other by a compressive forceto clamp the cord therebetween, said hinge being expandable by saidforce to provide a continuing clamping force on the cord as the cordshrinks, and interengageable hook means integrally formed on the freeextremity of each of said arms coacting when engaged to fixedly connectsaid extremities in relatively permanent fashin.

2. As an article of manufacture, a V-shaped member fabricated of aflexible, relatively strong material, an ovalshaped button carried bythe free end of one arm of said member, the free end of the other arm ofsaid member having an oval-shaped aperture extending therethrough in aspiral configuration for the reception therein of said button, saidaperture having an entrance in substantial registry with said buttonwhen the device is in an open position, the exit from said aperturebeing angularly related to the entrance thereof.

3. As an article of manufacture, a V-shaped member fabricated of aflexible, relatively strong material, means carried by the free end ofone arm of said member, the free end of the other arm of said memberhaving an aperture extending therethrough in a spiral configuration forthe reception therein of said means, said aperture having an entrance insubstantial registry with said means when the device is in an openposition, the exit from said aperture being angularly related to theentrance thereof, said means and said aperture each having aconfiguration whereby a rotational movement is imparted to said meansupon a compressive force being applied to the arms of said member.

4. A device particularly applicable as an umbilical cord clampincluding, a first element, a second element, means connecting saidelements for oscillatory movement relative to each other, said elementsbeing formed to provide contact between opposed faces thereof when inrelatively abutting relation, one end of said first element having ahook-shaped extremity and hook engaging means in said second elementincluding a recess within which the hook is enclosed for positiveinterlocking interengagement therewith when the opposed faces of saidelements are in con tacting relation.

5. A device particularly applicable as an umbilical cord clampincluding, a first bar element, a second bar element swinginglyconnected thereto, opposed faces of said bar elements being disposed inrelatively abutting relation when closed, one end of the said first barelement having an integral hook extremity, a recess within said secondbar element adjacent an end thereof, said hook extremity being formed tooverlap and engage within said recess to provide a positive fixedrelation of said elements.

6. A device particularly applicable to an umbilical clamp including, afirst generally rectangular element of a relatively elongated nature, asecond generally rectangular element swingingly connected to said firstelement, said first element having a hook extremity formed integraltherewith, said elements being of a resilient material, spacedprojections on one surface of one of said elements for relative abutmentwith the other element on swinging thereof, a recess in the oppositesurface of said second element, the hook extremity of said first elementbeing adapted to interengage in the recess of said second element onflexing thereof to permit the passage of said second element, wherebysaid hook on the first element is positively locked within said secondelement so as to resist any effort to move said second elementtherefrom.

7. A device particularly applicable as an umbilical cord clampincluding, a first bar element, a second bar element connected to saidfirst bar element at one of its extremities and adapted to lie incontacting abutting relation with the first bar element and to nestwithin the other extremity thereof, and interengageable hook meansintegrally formed on the free extremity of each of said bar elementscoacting when engaged to fixedly connect said extremities in relativelypermanent fashion.

8. A device particularly applicable as an umbilical cord clamp includinga pair of superimposed elements inter-connected at one extremitythereof, interengaging male and female portions at the other extremitythereof, said female portion having means integral therewith foroverlapping and containing the male portion against lateral and verticaldisplacement, said containing means and said male element havingcomplementary surfaces which upon engagement interlock to a degreeproportionate to efforts to displace said male element from said femaleelement.

9. A device particularly applicable as an umbilical cord clamp includinga first bar-like element, a second bar-like element connected to saidfirst element, integrally connected means on said secondv element forcontaining one end of said first element, means integral with said firstelement and said second element for interlocking on containment of saidone end of said first element to resist movement of said second elementrelative said first element to a degree proportionate to efforts torelatively move said elements.

10. A device particularly applicable as an umbilical cord clampincluding, a first element, a second element, said first and secondelements being fabricated of a flexible, non-metallic, relatively strongmaterial, means connecting said elements for oscillatory movementrelative to each other, said elements being formed to provide contactbetween opposed faces thereof when in relatively abutting relation, oneend of said first element having a hook-shaped extremity and hookengaging means in said second element including a recess within whichthe hook is enclosed for positive interlocking substantially unopenableinterengagement therewith when the opposed faces of said elements are incontacting relation.

11. A device particularly applicable as an umbilical cord clampincluding, a first bar element, a second bar element swinginglyconnected thereto, said first and second bar elements being fabricatedof a flexible, relatively strong plastic material, opposed faces of saidbar elements being disposed in relatively abutting relation when closed,one end of the said first bar element having an integral hook extremity,a pair of spaced sides on said second bar element defining a recesstherebetween and within said second bar element adjacent an end thereof,

said hook extremity being formed to overlap and engage within saidrecess to provide a positive fixed relation of said elements, said sidespreventing lateral disengaging movement of said hook.

12. A device particularly applicable to an umbilical clamp including, afirst generally rectangular element of a relatively elongated nature, asecond generally rectangular element swingingly connected to said firstelement, said first element having a hook extremity formed integraltherewith, said elements being of a flexible, relatively strong plasticmaterial, spaced projections on one surface of one of said elements forrelative abutment with the other element on swinging thereof, a recessin the opposite surface of said second element, the hook extremity ofsaid first element being adapted to interengage in the recess of saidsecond element on flexing thereof to permit the passage of said secondelement, whereby said hook on the first element is positively andsubstantially unopenably locked within said second element, the sides ofsaid recess serving to resist any reasonable eifort to move said secondelement therefrom.

13. A device particularly applicable as an umbilical cord clampincluding, a first bar element, a second bar element connected to saidfirst bar element at one of its extremities and adapted to lie incontacting abutting relation with the first bar element and to nestwithin the other extremity thereof, said first and second bar elementsbeing fabricated of a flexible, nonmetallic, relatively strong material,and interengageable hook means integrally formed on the free extremityof each of said bar elements having means for preventing lateralrelative movement of said bar elements, said hook means coacting whenengaged to fixedly and substantially unopenably connect said extremitiesin relatively permanent fashion.

14. A device particularly applicable to the umbilical cord of a newlyborn infant comprising, a member fabricated of a resilient, relativelystrong plastic including, a pair of arm elements, hinge means joiningsaid elements together at one end and adapted to allow said elements toswing toward and away from each other to clamp said cord therebetween,the other end of one of said elements having an extending hook-likeportion and the other end of said other element having a recess locatedin the side remote from the cord clamping side, said recess beingadapted to receive said hook-like portion therewithin in positivesubstantially unopenable interengagement whereby said cord is safelyclamped and held between said elements during hemostasis.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 190,787 6/61Schneider D83-l2 600,887 3/98 Pettit l28346 643,003 2/00 Pollock 128-3462,498,372 2/50 Kortlucke et al l28346 2,709,290 5/55 Rosenthal 24-2042,818,871 1/58 Beaudry 132-48 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD J. HOFFMAN, Examiner.

1. I CLAMP FOR APPLICATION TO THE UMBILICAL CORD OF A NEWLY BORN INFANTCOMPRISING, A V-SHAPED MEMBER FABRICATED OF OF A FLEXIBLE, RESILIENT,RELATIVELY STRONG MATERIAL, AND FORMED BY A PAIR OF ARMS JOINED TOGETHERAT THE APEX OF THE V BY AN INTEGRAL HINGE-FORMING LOOP OF SUBSTANTIALDIAMETER, THE FREE ENDS OF THE ARMS OF SAID MEMBER BEING NORMALLY SPACEDAPART, SAID ARMS BEING MOVABLE TOWARD EACH OTHER BY A COMPRESSIVE FORCETO CLAMP THE CORD THEREBETWEEN, SAID HINGE BEING EXPANDABLE BY SAIDFORCE TO PROVIDE CONTINUING CLAMPING FORCE ON THE CORD AS THE CORDSHRINKS, AND INTERENGAGEABLE HOOK MEANS INTEGRALLY FORMED ON THE FREEEXTREMITY OF EACH OF SAID ARMS COACTING WHEN ENGAGED TO FIXEDLY CONNECTSAID EXTREMITIES IN RELATIVELY PERMANENT FASHION.